Travel industry voices Trump concern

Monday, November 07, 2016 - 01:44

As America prepares to head to the polls, some in the travel industry are holding their breath at the prospect of a Trump presidency following policy proposals that include building a wall along the Mexican border and a ban on Muslims entering the US. Ivor Bennett reports from the World Travel Market in London.

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It was a tag-line designed to entice tourists.
But now Mexico itself is stepping into the unknown.
SOUNDBITE (English) ENRIQUE DE LA MADRID CORDERO, TOURISM MINISTER, MEXICO, SAYING:
"We are all concerned in the world of the election tomorrow. But in Mexico we are prepared. We will have to work with whomever wins."
Judging by the campaign though, one candidate will be a lot easier to work with than the other.
Trump's promised to build a wall along the Mexican border if he wins.
And scrap a trade deal.
Bad news for a country where nearly 60 percent of visitors come from the US.
SOUNDBITE (English) ENRIQUE DE LA MADRID CORDERO, TOURISM MINISTER, MEXICO, SAYING:
"It's not only Mexico who could be harmed but it could also be millions of people in the United States. So that's why I say let's wait and see first what are the election results and then which of those ideas that were raised in the campaign, really become policy."
The US travel association is similarly cautious.
Their concern - Trump's proposed ban on Muslims entering the country.
SOUNDBITE (English) MALCOM SMITH, GENERAL MANAGER, US TRAVEL ASSOCIATION, SAYING:
"It would be very impactful, which is why when we educate the policymakers we are confident those won't happen. We talk more about the security, the intelligence communications, that's what needs to happen. That's what keeps us safe. Not banning a religion, or a country, or building walls."
The only thing that doesn't seem to be affected, is the Trump brand itself.
In fact, business appears to be booming.
Trump Hotels says visitor numbers in Europe and the Middle East were up 112 percent in September compared to last year.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARCOS TORRES, GLOBAL SALES DIRECTOR, EMEA, TRUMP HOTELS, SAYING:
"The Trump hotels have a certain growth right now. We're opening three hotels as we speak here so for us it's a very bright future."
For others though, the picture is a lot more uncertain.

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